In some classes I like to include spelling words, and have a spelling bee at the end of the semester. I choose words from the most common lists (everyday for beg-int classes, and academic for int-adv classes) or based on key words from class texts. One way to help students review vocabulary in a new way is to have bingo. I have them fill out the blank cards with words from their lists and then […]
Category: Vocabulary Building
How are you feeling today?
This is a great visual chart of 30 different faces illustrating the intermediate+ adjectives under each face, such as anxious, mischievous, hysterical, and ecstatic. My students have enjoyed learning the new vocabulary by first thinking of a time when they have either experienced a particular strong emotion, or witnessed someone else demonstrating the emotion. Typically I ask them to select five new adjectives, look them up and make sure they understand the new vocabulary word, […]
INS Study Guide
Resource Posting PD.tifI find that students, especially at the lower levels, are curious about the history and politics of the United States. Over the years one of the handouts I have accumulated is the INS Standard 100 Questions for 312 Test at Legalization Offices. The document has questions such as, “What do we call a change to the U.S. Constitution?” Answer, “Amendment.” It serves as a nice break from grammar, writing, etc. and often engenders […]
Word Family Framework – Vocabulary
http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/word-family-framework What is the Word Family Framework (WFF)? The WFF is a searchable resource for teachers and learners of English that consists of over 22,000 vocabulary items arranged according to six levels aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).. Start using the Word Family Framework What can the WFF be used for? The WFF can be used by institutions, teachers and learners to construct target vocabularies for individual learning, syllabus and lesson […]
Reading Demonstration – comprehension and vocabulary in context
Reading Demonstration – Importance of Context in Comprehension This reading demonstration was taken from Dimensions of Literacy, by Stephen B. Kucer (page. 142, Table 6.2). The purpose of the exercise is to help students examine their own reading process and strategies used to gain meaning. Use this as an opportunity to discuss and share out reading strategies used by your students and share you own. Distribute the reading to students asking them to […]
Vocabulary Practice Bingo
Spelling Word Bingo: This is a way to practice vocabulary (whether from a reading or any other vocabulary source). It can be used at almost any level as you would just use the vocabulary students are currently learning and could adapt box size, etc. to accommodate. I used it in an advanced ESL writing/reading class, after half the semester (they had a few vocab lists and had taken a few spelling quizzes already). The students […]
Flashcard Class Routine
I wanted a way to expand my students’ vocabulary this semester. I started using this routine in my class. I’m excited to see how it turns out. Students will create and rotate flashcards throughout the semester. Read more about it here: https://tesolplanner.com/2018/02/01/flash-card-vocabulary-exchange/ Jessica JohnstonJessica Johnston is the ESL resource faculty at Woodland Community College. Before grad school, she taught EFL in Quito, Ecuador. She loves creating class material and developing curriculum.